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Fault forces Gatwick jet landing Fault forces Gatwick jet landing
(9 minutes later)
A plane bound for Barbados was forced to return to Gatwick Airport after the captain reported a technical problem.A plane bound for Barbados was forced to return to Gatwick Airport after the captain reported a technical problem.
The Virgin Atlantic flight returned to the West Sussex airport an hour after take-off but the airline said it was simply a precautionary measure.The Virgin Atlantic flight returned to the West Sussex airport an hour after take-off but the airline said it was simply a precautionary measure.
Gatwick Airport said the Boeing 747-400 had declared a problem and the fire service had been put on standby.Gatwick Airport said the Boeing 747-400 had declared a problem and the fire service had been put on standby.
Virgin said the 310 passengers will resume their journey to the Caribbean later on Saturday on a different plane.Virgin said the 310 passengers will resume their journey to the Caribbean later on Saturday on a different plane.
A Virgin spokesman said an investigation into why flight VS29 returned to Gatwick was under way.A Virgin spokesman said an investigation into why flight VS29 returned to Gatwick was under way.
"The captain of the aircraft decided as a precautionary measure to go back to Gatwick," he said."The captain of the aircraft decided as a precautionary measure to go back to Gatwick," he said.
"Passengers will be accommodated on another aircraft, with extra upper class and premium economy seating, and leave later for Barbados."Passengers will be accommodated on another aircraft, with extra upper class and premium economy seating, and leave later for Barbados.
"Virgin Atlantic gives the highest priority to the safety and security of its passengers and crew. Virgin Atlantic apologises for the inconvenience caused and the delay to passengers' journeys.""Virgin Atlantic gives the highest priority to the safety and security of its passengers and crew. Virgin Atlantic apologises for the inconvenience caused and the delay to passengers' journeys."
The plane landed back in Gatwick about 1100 BST. Delayed passengers and 15 crew members were given vouchers while waiting for their second flight, expected to depart at 2000 BST.